Late Morning Louisiana Marsh Fishing Charter
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Six-hour private inshore fishing charter in Louisiana marsh watersCaptain Brad provides all equipment and cleans catch afterwardLate morning start perfect for winter fishing conditions
Captain Brad D'Alfonso knows these Louisiana marshes like the back of his hand, and he's ready to put you on some seriously good fish. This 6-hour private charter starts later in the morning – perfect when you don't want to roll out of bed at 4 AM or when those winter mornings are just too dang cold. You'll have the boat to yourself and up to two buddies, which means more room to cast, better fishing spots, and personal attention from one of the area's top-rated guides. Brad brings all the gear you need, handles the messy work of cleaning your catch, and sends you home with bags full of fresh fillets ready for the dinner table.
The Louisiana marsh is where serious inshore anglers come to play, and for good reason. These shallow, grass-lined waters hold some of the Gulf Coast's best fishing year-round. Captain Brad runs a comfortable boat that can handle the skinny water where the big fish hide, and he's got the local knowledge to put you on the bite regardless of conditions. You'll spend your day working different marsh edges, oyster reefs, and grass flats – each spot chosen based on tides, weather, and what's been biting lately. The pace is relaxed but productive, giving everyone time to learn proper techniques while still filling the cooler. Brad's been guiding these waters for years, so expect plenty of local stories and insider tips between fish. The trip wraps up with a professional fish cleaning service, so you walk away with perfectly filleted fish ready for your favorite recipe.
Brad provides all the rods, reels, bait, and tackle you'll need for a successful day. He typically runs medium-action spinning gear perfect for the species you'll target, paired with live bait like shrimp, pogies, or crabs depending on what the fish want that day. You'll learn sight fishing techniques when conditions allow – there's nothing quite like watching a big redfish cruise the shallows before making your cast. Artificial lures play a big role too, especially soft plastics and topwater plugs that drive these marsh fish crazy. Brad adjusts his approach based on your skill level, so beginners get hands-on instruction while experienced anglers can focus on fine-tuning their technique. The beauty of this private setup means you can spend extra time on whatever interests you most, whether that's perfecting your casting accuracy or learning to read the water like a local.
Redfish are the crown jewel of Louisiana marsh fishing, and these waters hold some true giants. These copper-colored fighters average 20-30 inches but can push well over 40 inches and 30 pounds. They're most active during moving tides and love shallow water near oyster bars and grass edges. What makes reds so special is their aggressive strike and bulldogging fight – they'll make screaming runs that test your drag and your nerves. Fall and spring offer the best action, but Louisiana's year-round fishery means you've got a shot at them any time.
Speckled trout, or "specks" as locals call them, are the bread and butter of marsh fishing. These beautiful spotted fish typically run 14-20 inches with occasional giants topping 25 inches. They're structure-oriented, hanging around oyster reefs, drop-offs, and grass beds. Specks have a delicate mouth, so they require a gentle touch, but their willingness to hit both live bait and artificials makes them perfect for learning proper technique. Cooler months often produce the biggest fish as they school up in deeper pockets.
Sheepshead are the marsh's trickiest customers, known for their light bite and incredible ability to steal bait. These black-and-white striped fish love structure – bridge pilings, oyster reefs, and dock posts are prime spots. Most run 2-4 pounds, but 6-8 pounders show up regularly. They're excellent table fare and provide a fun challenge with their finicky feeding habits. Winter months are prime time when they move inshore to spawn.
Black drum might not win beauty contests, but they're absolute powerhouses that can test your tackle to the limit. These bottom-dwellers average 10-20 pounds but can exceed 40 pounds in Louisiana waters. They feed primarily on crabs and shellfish around oyster bars and mud flats. Their crushing bite and sustained fight make them a favorite among anglers who like their fish with attitude. Spring migration brings the best numbers, but they're catchable year-round.
Southern flounder are the marsh's ultimate ambush predators, lying perfectly camouflaged on sandy bottoms waiting for unsuspecting prey. These flatfish typically run 14-18 inches but can reach doormat proportions over 20 inches. They're most active during cooler months and moving tides, often holding near channel edges and drop-offs. Flounder provide excellent table fare and a unique fishing experience as you learn to detect their subtle strikes and proper hook-setting technique.
Captain Brad's late morning trips offer the perfect combination of convenience and productivity – you get a full 6-hour fishing experience without the pre-dawn wake-up call. The private boat setup means personalized instruction, better fishing spots, and more room to work. With all gear provided and your catch cleaned and bagged, you just need to bring your Louisiana fishing license, some snacks, and drinks for the day. These Louisiana marshes produce fish year-round, but availability fills up fast with repeat customers who know a good thing when they find it. Don't wait – book your spot with Speck Dat Charters and get ready for some world-class inshore action that'll have you planning your next trip before you even get back to the dock.
Captain Brad's 24' Blazer Bay is your ticket to Louisiana's productive marsh waters. This 2008 motorboat packs a serious 300Hp Yamaha that'll get you to the fishing spots fast, hitting 38 knots when you need to cover ground quickly. The spacious deck gives your 3-person crew plenty of room to work the rods without bumping elbows. What makes this rig shine for marsh fishing is the wireless trolling motor – perfect for sneaking up on redfish and speckled trout in shallow water without spooking them. The fish finder takes the guesswork out of locating structure where sheepshead and black drum like to hang out, while GPS keeps you on the productive spots trip after trip. VHF radio ensures you stay connected for safety and updates on fishing conditions. Built for Louisiana's inshore waters, this boat handles everything from open bays to tight marsh channels where the big reds love to cruise.
Pogonias CromisBlack drum are the heavyweights of the Louisiana marsh - these bruisers commonly run 5-30 pounds but can push 90+ pounds when you get lucky. They're bottom feeders with powerful jaws built for crushing oysters and crabs, making them perfect for our shell-rich waters. You'll find them around oyster reefs, muddy flats, and creek mouths in water from 2-20 feet deep. Spring is peak season when they school up for spawning - that's when you hear their famous drumming sounds underwater. Guests love them because they fight like trucks and the smaller ones (under 15 pounds) make excellent eating with firm, white meat. The bigger fish are better released since the meat gets tough. Pro tip: use fresh crab or cut mullet on a fish finder rig right on the bottom. These fish are spooky, so keep your boat quiet and let the bait sit - patience pays off with drum.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are Louisiana's signature inshore species - copper-colored bruisers with distinctive black spots near their tails. Most run 20-30 inches and 5-15 pounds in the marsh, though we regularly see 35+ inch bulls that'll test your drag. They cruise shallow flats, oyster reefs, and marsh edges in 1-4 feet of water, often with their backs showing. Fall and spring are peak seasons, but they bite year-round here. What makes them special is their aggressive strikes, bulldogging fights, and those explosive topwater hits that'll get your heart racing. Smaller reds are excellent eating with mild, sweet meat. The sight-fishing aspect is addictive - watching a 30-inch red crush a spoon in two feet of water never gets old. Best tip: work gold spoons or paddle tails along grass lines and oyster bars. When you see that wake or copper flash, cast ahead of them and be ready - they'll crush it.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled trout are the bread and butter of Louisiana inshore fishing. These spotted beauties typically run 14-24 inches and 1-5 pounds, with some trophy fish pushing 8+ pounds in deeper water. You'll find them over grass flats, around shell beds, and in 2-10 feet of water where they ambush shrimp and small baitfish. Fall through spring offers the best action, especially on overcast days and moving tides. Guests love specks because they hit artificial lures hard, fight well for their size, and are outstanding table fare with tender, flaky white meat. They're also great for beginners since they're aggressive feeders. The key is working grass flats with soft plastics or topwater plugs early morning or late evening. Here's my go-to tip: use a 1/4-ounce jighead with a white paddle tail, work it slow over the grass, and when you feel that thump, resist the urge to horse them - their mouths are soft, so keep steady pressure.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the "convict fish" of Louisiana waters - those black and white stripes make them unmistakable. They typically run 1-8 pounds and 14-20 inches, but we've caught some pushing 20 pounds around the right structure. These guys live around anything man-made: docks, bridge pilings, oil rigs, and jetties where they feed on barnacles, crabs, and oysters. Winter months are prime time when they school up in deeper channels. What makes them fun is they're notorious bait thieves with human-like teeth that can crush shells. The meat is absolutely phenomenal - white, flaky, and mild flavored, making them one of our best table fish. Here's the secret: get your bait tight to structure using small hooks and fresh shrimp or fiddler crabs. When you feel that telltale nibble-nibble, don't wait - set the hook hard or they'll clean you out every time.
Paralichthys LethostigmaSouthern flounder are flat, bottom-dwellers with both eyes on one side - nature's perfect ambush predators. These guys typically run 15-18 inches and weigh around 5 pounds, though we've seen some beauties pushing 20+ pounds. They bury themselves in sand and mud along shallow flats, waiting to strike at shrimp, crabs, and small fish. Fall through early spring is prime time when they're feeding heavily before their offshore migration. What makes them special is their ability to change color to match the bottom - you'll literally watch them disappear before your eyes. They're also fantastic table fare with sweet, white meat. Here's the trick: when drift fishing over muddy bottoms, use a Carolina rig with live shrimp and fish it slow. Feel for that subtle tap-tap - they're notorious bait stealers, so set the hook quick when you feel weight.
Louisiana